2011 Honda Pilot engine problems

Filed Mar 3, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 204,000 miles · CA

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Pilot. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale from the Facebook Marketplace on 2/25/26. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 144,135. After retrieving a Carfax Report, the contact discovered that the mileage was 204,000. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 35 MPH or lower, there were sounds of an electrical system failure coming from the vehicle. The following morning, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that the actual mileage was 204,000. The contact reported the odometer fraud to the DMV, who then informed the contact that the private seller had not transferred the title yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Engine · NY

I was driving along [XXX] , wheb I came to a stop at the stoplight at the intersection of [XXX] The vehicle shut off and couldn't restart. I had to tow it to a garage where the engine is being repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 10, 2023 · Engine · WI

We have our truck services only at the dealership. My husband had the oil changed just two months ago. He had to take the truck back to the dealership last week because it was making a strange noise and when he checked the oil gage it was empty. When he got to the dealership the lady that helped us told us this was due to excessive oil consumption. I was able to look at the website www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/honda-pilot-excessive-oil-consumption-recalls and found out there is a documented issue with the 2009-2013 Honda pilots. I purchased this vehicle in 2013 and and did not have a problem until now. Honda needs to fix this as this fall under this recall even if the VIN number was not initially associated with this. This vehicle has only been serviced at Russ Darrow Honda in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I have never been advised of anything until now. I really need help with this. I have been a loyal Honda owner as this is my third Honda and I am not in position to purchase a new vehicle so please help. [XXX], [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Sep 19, 2022 · Driver assistance, Engine · 80,000 miles · IL

The owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally and almost stalled. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited for several minutes before the vehicle regained stability functionality and the vehicle stopped shaking. The VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred five times. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine block was causing oil leaking from piston rings unto the spark plugs. The spark plug was replaced and the contact was advised to drive at speeds of 40 MPH or slower. The repair was provided as a temporary fix. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Engine · TX

The front cylinder head valve cover developed an erosion hole adjacent to the middle spark plug (#5) tube cutout. The valve cover is available for inspection. This portion of the valve cover is directly above the oxygen sensor on the exhaust manifold. Engine oil could leak onto the hot manifold and ignite, causing an engine fire. I have not taken this cover to a Honda dealer or independent service center as I do my own maintenance work on my vehicles. This failure occurred after 153,235 miles and there were no indications, messages, or symptoms. The hole was not leaking oil as it was filled with valve cover material that had degraded and turned into powder. The powder was easily dislodged after probing with a metal pick, leaving a hole in its place. The #5 ignition coil was inspected and was visually unremarkable. The engine was not misfiring. The MIL lamp was off and there were no DTC codes present. A web search found several other complaints about this issue (with pictures of incidents of greater severity) and it is not confined to Honda vehicles.

Filed Oct 2, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

My Honda Pilot 2011 EXL w/ AWD displayed a flashing engine light while driving, which is a sign of a serious engine problem. When it was towed to the Honda dealership, the service representative told me that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) of P0302 was recovered, which occurs when the spark plugs misfire, and is fully described in Honda's Service Bulletin 13-082: I was told by the Honda service rep that one spark plug was fouled and covered with engine oil, and that I needed to clean the pistons and replace three piston rings along with the spark plug, a $3500+ repair. This costly problem with some Hondas was the subject of a class action lawsuit (Soto v. American Honda Motors), and is known to cause a sudden loss of power while driving, putting the driver, passengers, and other nearby vehicles at significant risk. By way of background, I began experiencing intermittent and temporary electrical system failure and increased oil consumption as early as January, 2021, which was never fully diagnosed until it progressed to a state of engine failure in September. Honda was clearly aware of this problem, yet it failed to take preemptive action to protect Honda owners and others. Rather than recalling vehicles with defective Program Control Module (PCM) software/firmware and updating it on affected vehicles (a relatively inexpensive fix), they allowed drivers to continue to operate their Hondas, effectively playing vehicular Russian Roulette, until their engines failed catastrophically, like mine did.

Filed Mar 3, 2020 · Engine · 172,000 miles · GA

I was informed that the way the engine was built, when the vehicle goes into eco-mode 2 cylinders shut off. In the 2011 models, the same 2 shut off every time, this causes the other cylinders to wear prematurely. Engines are now built to randomly shut off 2 cylinders. I'm very curious to know why a recall was not issued l. Seems like a very poor business practice on honda's part. I got this vehicle because I am expecting and needed a bigger vehicle but it is definitely not looking like I would ever recommend a honda to anyone at this point based on the fact I bought the vehicle december 19th and was only able to drive it for a month. I've been without a vehicle for over a month and am not sure when I will get the vehicle back. It's completely unacceptable. I got in my vehicle to take kids to school and my check engine light was flashing. Instead of taking the kids to school I took the car to the dealership, in the meantime every light on the dash came on. Once we got to the honda dealership where they had the tools to fix whatever was potentially wrong, we were informed of the issue with the cylinders. I am looking into the lemon laws in georgia. It is insane that the warranty will only cover an engine with the same problem, only less miles for 2400. So in order to get an engine that I feel safe with my children in the car, I have to come out of pocket another 3000. I will also have to replace the catalytic converters as a result of the wear on the engine from honda's faulty design.

Filed Oct 13, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 118,279 miles · MD

My 18 year old daughter was driving home 6/28/19 at midnight. Car died while driving. Coasted to side of road. Restarted and drove some. Same thing. Many lights came on. Coasted to side of highway. Tried one more time and made it home. Miles on odo: 118,279. The next morning I started the ca and tried to drive to dealership. After 3 miles, the same happened to me. I was able to pull over and had aaa tow it 5 miles to dealership. At dealership, the said many error codes came up but they recommended replacing the powertrain control module (PCM). I pd $1,410.16 to do this on july 2. I picked the car up and drove less than a mile and the same thing happened. I was able to start it again and then it happened as I coasted back to the dealership. They analyzed the car, talked with hq honda reps and they recommended checking the spark plugs. They did and all 6 were bad. However, they were just replaced at 102,42 miles about 1 year earlier. July 9. I decided to replace the spark plugs and the dealership to their credit only charged me $200 (cost of labor). I was hesitant to replace them as I was not certain they had identified the true problem. I was shocked after spending the $1,400 that it happened again. Ever since then I am wondering if this will happen again. I am also concerned because this problem of the car just shutting down is extremely dangerous, especially if you find yourself on the highway. So I would like someone to look into this and to see if this has happened to anyone else. Thanks.

Filed Jul 31, 2019 · Engine, Suspension · 163,000 miles · SC

I have replaced coils and plugs due to misfire code po302 two or more times. I have had cv joints replaced 2 or more times. I purchased this vehicle used approximately 4 years ago. I have contacted honda USA on several occasions only to be told their are no recalls except takata airbag. Only to find out their is a (known) problem with cylinder misfires for my vehicle. I brought this up to honda's attention. Not the other way around.

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Engine, Visibility · 67,848 miles · CA

My 2011 pilot was purchased new in aug 2011, has less than 68000 miles and I live in southern ca, yet: my battery died and had to be replaced apr 2018 (car was parked < 1hr and would not start, but started fine the hour before). My engine check transmission system light/warning came on and we had to add a quart of oil on july 18, 2019, even though I had an oil change done in may 2019 less than 500 miles before. On 7/24/19, my front windshield wipers stopped and today I had to have the motor replaced not just a fuse. I'm concerned why a honda < 9 yrs old is having these issues - burning oil & motors dying. Is my car a lemon? Can you please help to allow me to have a dealership service do a full inspection/fix on the oil issue at no cost and possibly a reimbursement on the cost of the new windshield wiper motor (part & labor approx. $411 - I can provide a copy of the invoice later as the work is being done today)? Thank you for your consideration. I would appreciate any assistance in ensuring that my car does not progress as a lemon. I have been a dedicated honda owner since 1981 and this is the first one I've owned that has problems. Thank you.